Find a Job You Really Want In
What defines success in today’s fast-paced world? Is it the balance in your bank account, the exhilaration after nailing a presentation, or perhaps the joy of sharing a good laugh with friends?
Success is likely a complex blend of all these elements and more—something deeply personal and subjective.
At Zippia, we focus on measurable data to help paint a clearer picture of success. With our analytical approach, we have identified the ten most thriving cities in Indiana. Here’s the list:
- Zionsville
- Avon
- St. John
- Fishers
- Carmel
- Westfield
- Batesville
- Noblesville
- Brownsburg
- Hunte
If you think you can contest our findings, keep reading. There’s a logical process behind this ranking.
For more Indiana reading, explore:
How We Determined Indiana’s Most Thriving Cities
Success is often equated with financial prosperity. However, we believe that true success encompasses a broader spectrum of factors. Thus, we analyzed data from the 2021-2025 American Community Survey to assess various criteria.
1. Zionsville
Population (2025): 26,000 Median Income: $110,000
Poverty Level: 1.5%
Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
2. Avon
Population: 16,000 Median Income: $92,000
Poverty Level: 2.5%
Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
3. St. John
Population: 16,500 Median Income: $95,000
Poverty Level: 3.0%
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
4. Fishers
Population: 84,000 Median Income: $93,000
Poverty Level: 3.2%
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
5. Carmel
Population: 86,000 Median Income: $112,000
Poverty Level: 3.4%
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
6. Westfield
Population: 34,000 Median Income: $87,000
Poverty Level: 4.5%
Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
7. Batesville
Population: 6,800 Median Income: $64,000
Poverty Level: 5.5%
Unemployment Rate: 2.3%
8. Noblesville
Population: 57,000 Median Income: $70,000
Poverty Level: 6.0%
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
9. Brownsburg
Population: 23,000 Median Income: $67,000
Poverty Level: 4.7%
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
10. Hunte
Population: 5,500 Median Income: $72,000
Poverty Level: 5.0%
Unemployment Rate: 6.0%
Measuring Success in 2026
If you’re contemplating, “Can these metrics truly represent a city’s or its residents’ success?”—you might have a point.
Despite the subjectivity surrounding success, our analytical approach aims to provide a snapshot of where prosperity thrives. Congratulations to Zionsville and the other cities on our list! For those not included, we wish you better luck in the future.
Detailed List of Indiana’s Most Thriving Cities
| Rank | City | Median Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zionsville | $110,000 |
| 2 | Avon | $92,000 |
| 3 | St. John | $95,000 |
| 4 | Fishers | $93,000 |
| 5 | Carmel | $112,000 |
| 6 | Westfield | $87,000 |
| 7 | Batesville | $64,000 |
| 8 | Noblesville | $70,000 |
| 9 | Brownsburg | $67,000 |
| 10 | Hunte | $72,000 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
